A party the Salahis didn't have to crash, and we couldn't

Tareq and Michaele Salahi heading into the "Hollywood vs. Bollywood" party we'd just gotten bounced out of at District nightclub in Adams Morgan. (Amy Argetsinger/The Washington Post)

Had it really come to this? Were we going to have to crash a Salahi party?

"You're not on the approved media list," Kelly Ann Collins was telling us over the phone -- gently, apologetically -- 45 minutes before the "Hollywood vs. Bollywood" party she was throwing Thursday night in Adams Morgan.

What about our one signature cocktail? Left to right: Michaele Salahi, Tareq Salahi, the guy who tried to body-block our shot, the guy who escorted us out. (Amy Argetsinger/The Washington Post)

Gee, that's funny, because just a few hours earlier, the D.C. nightlife blogger told us to come over. And who'd want to miss it? This is the first big Washington social appearance by Tareq and Michaele Salahi since the polo-playing, winery-feuding future reality-TV stars crashed President Obama's first state dinner in November.

Who said we weren't approved? Aren't you the host? Awkward pause. "One of our other team members," she replied. "We just can't."

When last we'd seen the Salahis, they were pleading the Fifth at a tense congressional hearing in January about White House security. Despite surfacing in Vegas and Australia, they'd been lying low closer to home, their White House incursion the subject of a federal probe.

They weren't officially hosting Thursday but were billed as "special guests" (who contributed a few cases of wine, Collins said, and lent a red carpet when she needed one). The night was pegged to the "start of Washington's polo season" -- notably, a June polo match the couple are promoting via their America's Polo Cup, now under investigation by Virginia officials.

No media credentials? No problem! The hosts sent us an Evite hours before, so we went online and bought a $25 ticket (plus $2.37 service fee), entitling us to admission and "one signature cocktail." We arrived in the rain to find the club comfortably under-populated. We ran into a Salahi friend (Matthew Christian Davis, whom you might have seen speaking up for them on "Larry King Live" last fall) and had a pleasant chat. We had just stepped away to check the BlackBerry when three men in black approached.

"I'm sorry," said the shortest one. "This is a private party." The other two were bigger, silent, earpieced. The shortest man gave us back our money, and all three escorted us out a side entrance onto 18th Street...

... Just in time to run into the Salahis! They stepped out of a stretch limo -- Michaele, looking as Barbie-doll awesome as ever. A suited guy tried to body-block us as we took a snapshot. And then the Salahis disappeared into the comfortably under-populated club, and we went home.

I would like to say "who cares." But then I DID click on this story. I was hoping for something a bit salacious...but no luck. Needed a little fun and something to laugh about before the weekend. Oh well. I must need a life..or something.

It's ironic that the Salahis have better security than the White House. After all, the columnists DID at least have an EVITE. I suppose the bright side is that they got the story (as much as they would have gotten, anyway) AND got their photo AND got their money back.

I'm curious if the state of Virginia will be able to prosecute the couple for using their charity to fund their lifestyle.

Otherwise, I think we need to eliminate charity tax exemptions, since it's clearly another area where taxpayers and contributors are getting fleeced.

Love to read these updates. We all seem to love to know what is going on with the Salahi's. Look's like it was fun. Can't tell if you are joking or you really weren't let in?
Michaele Salahi does have a true Barbie look.
You article was fun to read.

Maybe Prez Obama can persuade these two "celebrities" to join the USO Tour entertaining U.S. troops in Iraq and especially Afghanistan.....without Blackwater / Xe and/or CIA security!!!
Maybe we can borrow Sarah Palin's crosshairs off that map from her Tea Party campaigning against the DEMS???

Too funny. Thought I had read that India was pulling out of the Salahi's big event, America's Polo Club. Checked out the website and it's still on for June on the National Mall. A little misleading as it mentions India, ambassadors, etc.

Also saw that there are flyovers for the event. Wonder which branch of the military. Also, how much does it cost for a flyover and who pays for that?

Gee, the WaPo trashes these two, deservedly or not, at every possible juncture, and they had the GALL to turn you away?!
Maybe the White House should hire the Salahis' social secretary/event security team. Seems like they do a better job than Obama's.

This is why y'all need to be anonymous like Tom Seitsama ... so you can just walk into any party and do what you do.... although, I guess you couldn't get into alot of these parties if you were anonymous so maybe this a moot post.

I would like to see more articles about the ongoing legal investigations of these clowns. Investigations that will hopefully show them to be the criminal grifters that they are, and that eventually destroy them.

Anyone else notice that these professional grifters actually have their OWN red carpet? I think that is the single most self-aggrandizing, self-absorbed, self-important thing I have ever heard about anyone. I wish they'd disappear, but until they do I'm glad they're still under scrutiny.

Roxanne, Amy, you should be glad you didn't get close to them...you'd have to count all your jewelry and check your pockets/purses!

Because of these 2 bio-solids; and the Secret slackjawed Service; State Dinners at the White House will now become a thing of the past. There hasn't been one since the PM of India when the Slalahi's compromised national and international security. They could have started WW III if they intended to.

Now; because of them, NO Head of State will attend because their safty and security can no longer be assured and neither can our own President's.

I cant believe these two had security at their party - In true honor of the Salahi's EVERY Person attending should've crashed the event, how hysterical would that have been?

Just a Fyi for the post..numerous friends have lost accts on FB due to posting comments questioning the authenticity of their so called "sponsors" and "partners" on their America's Polo page..One friend simply copy and pasted PF CHANGS Response stating they were NOT AFFILIATED with the Salahis in any way shape or form and were working to have their logo removed, she had her acct DELETED. I'm ANGRY these two were not held accountable for their actions..apparently Obama does not believe in upholding the law but let you or I even THINK about stepping foot onto the whitehouse we'd gladly be arrested escorted out in handcuffs.

How are these two able to continue selling tickets to a Polo match with India when India announced they were NOT taking part in the event??? Yet these two are STILL advertising the match? HOW IS THIS LEGAL?? What is it going to take to destroy these two ppl from society???

Yes, you are CORRECT - while I can't speak for other posters I want you to know I am in fact SO JEALOUS of the Salahi's.. I too, want to become a Pathological Liar, have everything I own REPO'D. I am also seriously jealous that I can grow Hair, unlike Michaele spend thousands on a HAIR WEAVE..Also, what really upsets me is I am devoid of any Adams Apple.. How I wish I could be as Delusional as these two fine ppl... I lack the creativity and mental disorder to CREATE an entire life that never was. Miss America, Redskins Cheerleader?! YOu betcha! Who cares if both these organizations have come out and PUBLICLY CALLED Michaele on her Lies. Thats what Fabulous ppl do! So what they dont own a DAMN thing and are FLAT BROKE, hocking tickets to a non event, even after the Indian Embassy called a PRESS CONFERENCE to announce they will NOT participate in ANY POLO MATCH Involving the Salahi's...What keeps me up at night is wondering HOW I can go about SCREWING every person I come into contact with out of their money.. Damn it!

You obviously are mentally disturbed/deranged. No person envies these two maggots.

If you are such a friend of Mathew's Lisag1, could you at least find out Why Michael's Adams apple is so BIG?! If "she" is in fact a FEMALE? I know the Transgender community would love a new HERO and spokesperson.

Fyi you should pass this msg along to the Salahi's, if theyre going to list so called "offical partners/sponsors" at least have the I.Q to make sure ITS LEGIT..LOL.. WHY continue being dishonest, only to SUPPORT the media reports about their less than honest dealings...they Obviously arent that bright.

This "article", and the resultant cacophony of crass comments only re-prove those old adages, "There's no such thing as BAD publicity", and "Write anything you want, just spell my name right!".
Really....